New member here: question about my leo and his head being up

[ksaphilly]

Hi everybody,

So glad to find this site! My husband and I have a 7 year old leopard gecko (Walter). We recently had him shipped from our home on the East Coast to the West Coast so that my husband could take care of him for the summer, while he works out there. Walter shipped fine and we have him all set up in a terrarium here that's identical in set up to his one back home. Anyway, he's been here a couple of days and I've noticed that he's been holding his head up more than usual. Not too high or anything like that, but usually he's just sacked out with his head on the ground - now more often than not, his head is elevated with his eyes closed. We fed him yesterday (he ate) and he also went to the bathroom. He's moving around quite a bit and looks otherwise healthy. I'm just a little concerned because I've been reading that when leos get too cold, they can get respiratory infections. I'm a little worried that his cross-country trip got him a little too cold (though he was packed very well, and with a heating pad).

Anyway, I know this is rambling but I'm wondering if anybody has any thoughts about why he might be doing this? I guess it could just be the stress of the trip as well. But as I said, he looks good otherwise and doesn't have any other symptoms of a problem (no panting, no noises coming from him, etc.)

One other thing I should note is that we have been treating him for an eye infection for the past few weeks. He's been doing very well and his eyes are looking much better but in case that helps anyone to know that, I wanted to pass the info along.

Thanks for any thoughts! We're going to keep an eye on him and maybe make it a little warmer in there for him, if this continues. Although he really does have plenty of heat in there as it is.

 

[ARiES]

hey!!! hope my info helps..i saw that you have 11 views but 0 replies so i thought id do the job lol..ok now theres a company called nerds that shipps all sorts of herps cross countrie..they come out healthy and as normal as they where wen first packaged..if he had a respiratory infection his throat (you know how it inflates and deflates) that would happen a lot more rapidly..(because his lungs would be cloged up due to the infection he would have to breathe a lot quicker to get air into his lungs) and about his head being elevated. it might jus be that he needs more head if he cant get to higher grounds he will elevate his bodie and or head to get a little closer to the heat lamp..hope all is well..
Sincerely, Aries

 

[acpart]

I would recommend just watching him carefully and being prepared to take him to the vet if you continue to be concerned. Additional signs of respiratory infection are: croaking (one of mine did this whenever picked up and did have an infection), discharge from the nostrils and obviously labored breathing.

Aliza

 

[ksaphilly]

Thanks for the replies! His breathing is normal (not rapid or shallow) and he seems to be doing okay so we'll just keep an eye on the little guy.